My
Sister's Keeper
A familiar face has returned to the Kingdom of Enchancia, and she has Sofia beaming with joy. Lydia, an ambitious Sorceress, has come to live in the palace with the Royal Family and has Cedric fuming. His goal to take over the kingdom has yet another obstacle. And Lydia intends to stay there. No matter what the royal Sorcerer has to throw at her.
()()
Chapter 1
A Family Reunion
This will be my first fic for this series, and a way to allow it to be seen in the categories. This is for my friends and my self. I have no shame in writing a fic for this. You don't like it, DON'T READ OR COMMENT! Let's get started.
A Pegasus drawn carriage soared through the air. The Pegasi whinnied in glee as they flew into the boarder of Enchancia. "Here we are, young miss!" The coachman announced exuberantly. "Welcome to the Kingdom of Enchancia."
A young girl, age 18, peered over the side of the carriage. Her shoulder length brown hair fluttered in the wind. Her black hairband kept her bangs parted from the rest of her hair, keeping it somewhat neat in the wind. Her blue eyes beamed elatedly, twinkling as the beauty of the kingdom filled her with joy. Her turquoise opal earrings glistened in the shinning shine. The black strap around her neck had an opal pendant shaped like a tear drop. Her black robe like blazer wafted in the wind, the white trim reflecting the light. Her white under shirt peeked from the V collar. Her grey plaid skirt rippled. Her thigh high stocking boots, white strip on the sides and a pink bow on the ankle shifted excitedly.
"Hope the trip wasn't too long for you!" The coachman called back to her.
"No, no!" The girl giggled warmly with a soft voice. "It's been wonderful."
"So what brings you to Enchancia?"
"Family I haven't seen in quite some time." The girl dug a letter from her pocket, admiring it lovingly. "I can't wait to see my sister. She and I were inseparable before I had to go off to school."
"Then let's get you there!" The coachman encouraged. "Where am I dropping you off?"
"The palace courtyard."
The coachman gaped in confusion. "You sure, miss?"
"I'm sure." She showed him the letter.
The coachman nodded with an approving smile. "What's your name? If you don't mind my asking."
"I'm Lydia."
"Well Lydia, consider us at the palace Courtyard!"
"Great!" She cheered, rocking in her seat happily. The carriage picked up speed immensely, tempering Lydia's excitement. "Oh I can't wait to see Sofia's face!" She extended a hand to the side, running her hand down the alloy orange and red feathers of a Whiskered Screech Owl resting next to her. "You'll love Sofia, Eezeyal." (EE-ZEE-YUL)"I hope she's been getting along fine during my absence."
()()
"Ugh…" Sofia grunted exhaustedly, "What a day." She huffed, trudging down the main entrance corridor sluggishly. "Riding side saddle," She rubbed her butt tenderly, "I thought it would never be over."
It has only been two weeks since Sofia became the new princess of Enchancia. Since then she's been having a hard time adjusting to the new royal life, and the royal rules she was obligated to follow. It was becoming taxing. There were times she missed living in the village, being a commoner with her best friends. Odd how quickly things changed.
"I know what you mean." Amber whimpered, kicking her shoes off. Her fragile feet were blistered and red. "The waltzing classes were tiring."
"Try bowing to princesses 20 consecutive times." James moaned, massaging his sore back. "I feel like one of those birds that dip into water."
"I say we go to the parlor and hideout before dinner." Sofia suggested. "Unless we want to fall face first into our dinner."
"Agreed!" James and Amber replied excitedly. "Maybe we can get the servants to sneak us some treats." James whispered.
"Not likely." James and the girls froze. Bailywick, the steward, stood behind them from an adjoining hallway. "No spoiling your dinner." He ordered educationally.
"Yes sir." The three droned in dread.
"Good." Bailywick held his hands together. "Now get off to the parlor and finish any work you have." He edged them along. "Dinner shall be ready in three hours."
"Thank you, Bailywick." Sofia waved, she and her siblings sauntered along, still perturbed they couldn't sneak a treat.
"Maybe if we finish our homework early we can get a snack." James proposed, trying to whisper.
"Brilliant!" His sisters giggled.
Bailywick shook his head, chuckling lovingly at the three kids. "Not even blood and yet so alike." He revered.
()()
"Here you are, Miss Lydia." The coachman announced, bringing the carriage to a halt at the palace steps. "Palace of Enchancia – just like in the brochure."
"And better." She giggled, grabbing her satchel and suit case. She slid from the carriage, loving the feel on solid stone ground beneath her boots. "Thank you very much, Mr. Armand." Lydia's owl fluttered to the top of her head, nesting comfortably. "Here you go." She handed him four gold pieces. "Something extra for you and your family."
"Thank you, Miss!" Armand cheered. "Have a good stroll." He wished, taking off into the sky.
Lydia waved as the coach vanished beyond the clouds. Turning on her heels, Lydia absorbed the sight of the palace in awe, basking in its splendor. Taking a deep breath she skipped up the steps, giggling excitedly.
The palace doors opened with a loud creak, making Lydia cringe. Not that she was sneaking about, but it was unnerving to be entering unannounced. Lydia didn't want to give herself away before she had a chance to walk in. What if someone tossed her out on suspicion of trespassing?
"Ugh!" Lydia grunted. Eezeyal pecked her head roughly, jerking his head forward. "Yes, yes, I'm going." Lydia closed the door behind her gently, then proceeded down the blue and white colored coded corridor. Marble pillars stood strong and proud, holding the castle around it up. The velvet blue carpet beneath her feet made an interesting rustle sound. Golden chandeliers swaying on the ceiling, slick curtains on large windows, and tapestries depicting horses and a number of other majestic animals. More impressive were the large doors ahead of her. They had flights of stairs on either side.
"Wow…" Lydia gasped in awe. She turned around, sauntering backwards as she marveled at the pristine castle corridor. "I suddenly feel smaller than usual. OOH!"
"AH!" Lydia and someone else screamed, falling to the floor. Eezeyal flew to the support bar of the curtains, as did a pitch black raven.
"Ow…" Lydia groaned, massaging her head. Her suitcase and satchel fell to the ground, the contents scattering about the floor. "What did I hit?"
"WHO did you hit is the proper question!" A British voice hissed.
"OH!" Lydia jumped, looked down. She was sitting on a skinny older man wearing a purple robe. His beady black eyes glared daggers at her.
"DO YOU MIND GETTING OFF?"
"Sorry!" Lydia scrambled to her feet. "I am so sorry!" She hoisted him to his feet by his underarms. "Are you alright?"
"Fine!" He snapped, dusting himself off. "Any particular reason you bumped into me so carelessly?"
Lydia fiddled with her fingers nervously. "I was lost in thought." She giggled nervously.
"Well try to be lost in thought elsewhere!" He snapped. Lydia grunted in the back of her throat, taken aback by his strong resentment. "Wait…" He trailed off, eyeing Lydia suspiciously. Lydia inched back, feeling her personal space be violated. "I've never seen you around before." He muttered warily. Lydia swallowed nervously. He prodded her chest roughly with a slender finger, "You don't live in the castle, do you?" He accused harshly.
"No…" Lydia staggered back, escaping the finger, "I don't. I'm meeting someone." Lydia's foot touched her satchel, bringing her attention to her scattered belongings. "Oh no." She groaned, kneeling to the ground. "This day was starting out well." She grumbled, gathering small leather books and papers with complex formulas written all over them.
"Well your day will be worse off than this." The man announced with a hiss, approaching the scattered Lydia. "When the king finds out you snuck in, you'll be-" He was interrupted by his foot crunching on a piece of paper. "What's this?" Picking it up, the man saw it was a certificate from Sorcery school. "I attended this school." He mumbled to himself. There was a proclamation of congratulations written, and was concluded with a silver and gold star next to Lydia's name. "A graduate of honors from Sorcery School?" He remarked cynically. "Well aren't you special." He snarled sardonically.
Lydia growled in the back of her throat as she collected her things. Leaving the bags on the floor, she stomped to the older man and swiped her certificate back. "Not special. Just hard working." She corrected with equal resentment, tucking the certificate into her satchel. Lydia stood on her tiptoes, getting in the man's face with a disdainful glare. "And who are you to mock me?" She demanded to know.
The man didn't react to her flustered retort. He simply chuckled and put a hand to her face, coaxing her back. "I am Cedric." He announced proudly with a bow. "Royal Sorcerer to the king and queen," He patted Lydia's head like she was a dog, "And more important than some novice fresh out of the magic oven."
NOVICE! Lydia fumed in her mind. "You little-"
"AWWK!"
"WHOA!" Lydia ducked down. The raven from the rafters swooped over her head. His talon brushed against her brown locks as he narrowly missed. "What the-?" Lydia breathed in shock. The raven fluttered his wings, perching himself on Cedric's shoulder. Lydia scrunched her nose, able to see the raven smiling.
"This here is my faithful pet, Wormwood." Wormwood trilled heatedly in the back of his throat, ruffling his feather challengingly. Worm is right! Lydia hissed. Cedric placed his thumb and finger to her chin, titling her head up so to marvel at her anger. "And who might you be intruder? I'd like to stamp your name on your prison papers."
"My name is Lydia!" She slapped Cedric's hand away. Lydia snapped her fingers. Eezeyal swooped down from the rafters as well, perching himself on Lydia's head, wishing to even the odds. "This is my partner, Eezeyal." Eezeyal puffed the long flowing white whiskers around his beak, glaring at Wormwood and Cedric. "And I'm not an intruder! I'm a guest!"
"Do all guests lurk about like snakes where you're from?"
"Do all D-Rank sorcerers wear bath robes?"
"D-RANK?" Cedric scoffed in insult. "I'm a royal sorcerer, you fowl little street rat!" He howled. "And this," He stretched his robe, "Isn't a bath robe! It's a wizard's cloak!"
Lydia folded her arms and turned her back with a haughty scoff. "Amazing what a few stitches and presses can do for a fabric!"
"DOOH!" Cedric fumed, stomping his foot. Reaching into his sleeve he drew a wand. Flickering it animatedly, tinkling sparkles flickered around the wand tip. Lydia saw the wand and swallowed nervously. "I'll turn you into a mouse, you rat!" He declared.
Lydia reached into her coat, drawing her wand as well. Flourishing it, a tiny white stream flowed through the air. "Not before I turn you into a frog, TOAD!" Wormwood and Eezeyal flew into the air, hovering over their masters. Lydia and Cedric squared their feet, tightening their grips on their wands.
"Cedric?" Someone called from an adjoining hallway. Lydia and Cedric froze. The magic on the wand tips quickly died down. The two turned and saw a man with glasses standing behind Lydia. "What's going on?" He asked with his deep voice. Lydia swallowed another nervous lump, finding herself about to be in huge trouble.
"Ah, Bailywick." Cedric hummed elatedly. "You're just in time." Cedric clamped a hand roughly to Lydia's wrist, hoisting it into the air. "I found this little intruder lurking about the castle." He sniggered menacingly.
"I'M-NOT-AN-INTRUDER!" Lydia stressed in irritation. She drilled a punch into his ribs, making his release her wrist. "I'm a guest." She reached into her blazer pocket, producing the letter she showed the coachman. "This was sent to me about two weeks ago." She handed the letter to Bailywick. "I barely arrived this morning."
Bailywick's eyes skimmed the letter with the utmost scrutiny. He would glance to Lydia and back to the letter, trying to assess and connect her relation. "You do realize I cannot take your word for this without confirming this with her." He forewarned ominously.
"I understand." Lydia bobbed her head. She knelt to the ground, gathering her bags. "And I apologize if it was given the impression I was intruding." She sneered to Cedric.
"Apology accepted." Bailywick extended a hand, offering to take her bags. Lydia shook her head, showing she can handle it. "Right now…" Bailywick tapped his chin, reviewing his pocket watch. "The King and Queen are possibly in the parlor. Shall we go and see them?"
"Please." Lydia quickly stuck her tongue out to Cedric. The sorcerer huffed in insult. Lydia happily followed after Bailywick, her smile beaming. Eezeyal landed on her head again, purring happily.
Cedric growled in the back of his throat. Wormwood perched on his shoulder, cawing venomously. Turning on his heels Cedric stomped off. Wormwood turned his head to Lydia and Eezeyal, sneering his beak. "Snarky little tart." He huffed.
Lydia stroked her earring. "Thank you, Wormwood." She trilled mischievously.
Wormwood gaped in disbelief. Cedric came to an abrupt halt and whipped around. Lydia and Bailywick vanished beyond a door. Cedric tapped his chin, curious as to why she addressed Wormwood. Cedric heard Wormwood caw under his breath. Then Lydia responded. "Can she hear you, Wormy?"
()()
"Homework done!" James announced with relief, setting his book on the little coffee table. Amber and Sofia set their books down, finishing their work as well.
"And an hour and a half before dinner." Roland commended. "You three are quite the study group."
"I think our kids deserve a little something before dinner." Miranda proposed.
"You're right, Miranda." Roland reached behind his chair. The three siblings rubbernecked, trying to see what he was reaching for. Their eyes widened when they saw Roland pull out a tray of cookies. "Don't tell Bailywick." Roland winked.
"Bailywick already knows." The steward chortled, standing in the doorway. Roland sighed heavily with guilt. "Don't worry." Bailywick raised his right hand. "I won't tell." He promised. Sofia, James, and Amber cheered, taking the tray to the table. "There's someone here for you, Queen Miranda."
"Oh?"
"Yes…" He stepped to the side slightly, "I didn't get your name." Bailywick whispered to the figure standing outside the door.
"That's alright." Sofia and Miranda's eyes spanned in shock at the sound of the voice. A young girl with brown hair and blue eyes entered the room with her bags. "They know who I am." She smiled to Miranda and Sofia.
"LYDIA!" Sofia screamed in glee, sprinting around the table with her arms opened wide.
Lydia dropped her bags and knelt down. "SOFIA!" Sofia jumped into Lydia's arms. Lydia spun Sofia around, the two laughing giddily.
"I've missed you!" Sofia hugged Lydia tightly.
"I've missed you more!" Amber, James, Roland, and Bailywick were bewildered and charmed by the warm reception. Who was this girl?
"When did you get back?" Sofia asked excitedly.
"This morning. I took the earliest carriage to get here."
"Lydia," Miranda hummed, meandering to the young girl, "You made it!" Lydia, still holding Sofia, joined Miranda in the hug. The three hugged each other close. "I'm so glad you're home."
"How could I stay away?" Lydia asked. "After the letter you sent me two weeks ago, I had to get over here."
Miranda caressed Lydia's face, moving strands of hair from her eyes. "I've missed you so much while you were gone."
"I've missed you too, Mom."
"MOM!" The royal family and Bailywick blurted out in shock.
"Oh yes!" Miranda laughed bashfully. "I'm sorry." Lydia set Sofia down. "Everyone, this is Lydia – My Eldest daughter…"
"And my big sister." Sofia announced proudly.
"Big sister?" Amber gasped.
"And best friend." Lydia hugged Sofia close. Amber and James were taken aback by how close Lydia and Sofia seemed. They've never seen their new sister so…happy.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Roland extended a hand. "I'm Roland your new…well… your step-father – if you don't mind my saying." He treaded carefully, not wanting to upset or offend her.
"Not at all." Lydia shook his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you…" Lydia trailed off, biting her lip nervously. "Can I call you Roland?" She asked warily.
"Of course." He hummed, placing a hand to her shoulder. "Allow me to introduce your new younger brother and sister – James and Amber." The two stood and bowed. "You've met Bailywick."
"Princess Lydia." He bowed.
"Hello there." Lydia returned the bow. "Please call me Lydia." She requested bashfully. "Formalities are a little embarrassing."
"Of course, Prin-I mean-Lydia."
"Mom told me about all of you in her letter." Lydia said to Roland and his children. "It's great to finally meet you."
"Miranda told you about us?" Amber asked in astonishment.
"Oh yeah." Lydia handed Amber the letter. "The minute mom told me about you all, I couldn't wait to come and see you." Lydia ruffled her hand in Sofia's hair. "Plus I wanted to be there for Sofia when she started her new life. I'm sorry I missed your ball."
"It's okay." Sofia hugged Lydia tightly. "I'm just glad that you're back." Wings fluttered loudly. "Oh!" Sofia gasped. A whiskered owl landed on her shoulder, tapping his foot. Amber and James chuckled in charm of the Owl. "Who are you?"
"Sorry." Lydia winced. "This is Eezeyal – My partner and friend." Eezeyal bowed his head, spanning his wings. "I have so much to tell the lot of you." Lydia announced excitedly.
"We have so much to tell you too." Sofia said, tugging at Lydia's hand. "I don't know where to start."
"How about escorting Lydia to her room?" Roland proposed. "Then she can tell us more at dinner." Lydia gaped in shock to the king. "That is if she plans on staying for a while." He added, seeing her surprise. "Maybe…live with us?" Lydia's eyes twinkled.
"YES! YES!" Sofia jumped up and down. "Please say yes!" She begged.
"HA-HA-HA, Okay! How can I say no?"
"YAY!" Sofia raised her hands in cheer.
"In that case," James dashed over to her, "You'll need a tour guide." He volunteered.
"And someone to teach you the does and don'ts of the castle." Amber added in a haughty tone.
"And how to find your way when you get lost." Sofia input, admitting she's gotten lost.
"Looks like I'm in great hands." Lydia chortled. Amber and Sofia led Lydia out by the hand while James pushed her from behind.
Miranda, Bailywick, and Roland chuckled at the excitement of Sofia, James, and Amber. It was nice to see those three lively. "It's been a while since I've seen that glow on Sofia's face." Miranda whispered. "Lydia's always been able to make her smile."
"I can tell." Roland wrapped an arm around Miranda's shoulders. "Lydia seems like a wonderful girl." He reassured Miranda. "How come you never told me about her?"
"Because it made Sofia and I sad to talk about her." She explained with a mournful sigh. "But when I heard she was returning home, I wanted to surprise you and the kids."
"I see." Roland kissed her forehead. "I'd ask you more, but I think it would be best to hear it when everyone's together."
"As do I." Miranda rested her head against Roland's shoulder. "Now that we're all together again."
That's all for now! I'll update later. For now, later.